Faith's Refuge
Chapter 2
Session Start: Sat Oct 10 22:24
Session Close: Sun Oct 11 01:12
Elapsed Time: 2h, 48m
Total Elapsed: 15h, 0m

Cast (In Order of Appearance)

SOLaike as Cobia "Windstar" as Salah Paria Danny Capote as Cassandra Kalikar Jeremy "Bahamut" Baker as Miriamele Nicole "Lucca" Dinner as Audrey Nanshete

Richard "RPG Storen" Gregorio as Lynna Handred Criz as Criz "Andrew" as Finn MacGovray Storyteller as Storyteller, PseudoFinn, Ramus, Man, Woman, Vile Giants A-C, Vile Peon A-N, Imogene

Katarina Zone

* PseudoFinn pulls himself up off the ground and looks around...
[PseudoFinn] That's all of them, right?
[Cobia] Yeah I think so.
* PseudoFinn resheathes his sword...
[PseudoFinn] Do you think they got Rei?
[Cobia] Could be, that girl would have little chance against them.
* PseudoFinn pulls the dagger from the wereowl caracas and slides it back into it's holster.
[PseudoFinn] She was a Guild Mage...
* PseudoFinn briefly thinks about both Dawson and his missing Susannah then looks around.
[Cobia] We should head into Meriba and check to see if she is there.
[Storyteller] The four dead wereowls revert to their human forms. Three of them have returned to the form of human males. All of them appear to be prime examples of human life. In fact, were it not for all the wounds, the one female of the group would have been rather attractive.
[PseudoFinn] Um... Yeah...
* PseudoFinn readjusts the pack on his shoulder and starts walking.
* Cobia wipes the sweat from his brow and follows Finn.
[PseudoFinn] So... You're a fisherman, right?
[Storyteller] Together the two make their way through the snow. In the distance, but getting closer, they see the glowing city of Meribia.
[Cobia] Yep, that's what they tend to call my sort...
[PseudoFinn] Are you good at it?
* PseudoFinn is obviously trying to pass the time in as pleasant a fashion as possible.
* Cobia looks towards Finn and grins.
[Cobia] Yeah, the best the world over.
[PseudoFinn] That's good... Is the money good?
[Cobia] Eh? If I was one looking for silver, I would have certainly looked into some other profession. Seems to me that's all that anyone wants these days.
[PseudoFinn] Oh... Right... Those dolphins were a stroke of luck huh? I think me and Rei would've drowned before we could have made it to your boat...
[Cobia] Well, luck had nothing to do with it.
[PseudoFinn] No? How so?
[Cobia] It is hard to explain, and I've answered enough of your questions.
[PseudoFinn] .oO( Oh boy... )
[Storyteller] In silence, the two continue on toward Meribia. Helping each other as little as possible, they reach the top of one of the hills surrounding Meribia. The sight below them is something to behold... The beautiful splendor of Meribia lies a shambles. At least half of the structures are burning; and half of those that aren't have been crushed flat. Huge holes have been blow in the western wall.
* Cobia looks towards the town with astonishment.
[Storyteller] Ominous ships bob at anchor in the bay... from time to time, they release small launches which rush to the shore, dislodge their troops, and rush back.
[Cobia] Now, I hope that your friend did not make it to Meribia. Eh?
[PseudoFinn] A... She's not my friend... B...
* PseudoFinn just looks around... not sure what "B" is...
[PseudoFinn] .oO( Great idea, Dawson... Get yourself killed in a ship wreck, then make vacation plans for South-Central LA during Riot Season. )
[PseudoFinn] We can't just stand here. There's got to be someplace beyond Meribia.
* Cobia takes in a deep breath, the smell of cooking flesh almost smells good. Almost.
* PseudoFinn starts walking again.
[Cobia] Well, I can not head home now that the only port has been ransacked. So I guess we will continue together.
[PseudoFinn] No choice, huh?
[Storyteller] Thrown together by circumstance and shit-luck (or lack thereof) the two continue walking, taking a wide berth around the city. Hopefully, they won't be spotted by any of the city's attackers.

Meribian Sewers

[Storyteller] Under the burning city, but closer to our male heroes than they would think, the two women and the shopkeeper Ramus cluster around the wounded girl. Her body is whole, but her heart may never be the same again.
* Salah looks at the bodies of her family, tears streaming down her face.
* Cassandra looks at Salah.
[Cassandra] Shit happens...
[Ramus] (softly) Salah... You have to come with us...
[Salah] ...
[Miriamele] .. I'm sorry, Salah..
* Ramus reaches down to place his hand on her shoulder...
[Miriamele] We should go, there'll be time to cry later..
[Cassandra] The sooner we get out of here, the sooner any of us can escape the same fate. So lets skidaddle.
* Salah remains silent but looks up at Ramus, Miriamele, and Cassandra.
* Ramus slips his hands under Salah's arms and lifts her to her feet.
[Ramus] (softly) We can't stop here... There may be more coming.
[Salah] I-I understand...
[Salah] But... I don't want to leave them.
[Miriamele] We'll be back sometime, Salah, but there's nothing we can do right now..
* Ramus looks to the pile of rocks that have all but buried Salah's family...
[Ramus] I'll come back here personally, Salah. But it'll take us too long to dig them out. We have to get out of the city. Meet up with the militia forces that escaped.
* Salah nods and tries to smile.
[Salah] Are you guys hurt?
* Miriamele smiles back.
[Miriamele] I'm fine, more worried about you, actually.
* Ramus shakes his head.
[Cassandra] I'm fine.
* Ramus slings Dyne's Sword over his shoulder again, then turns to survey the tunnel.
[Cassandra] So where to tubs?
* Salah turns to the rocks and places a hand over them quietly.
[Salah] I'll be back, I promise.
* Ramus points over and past the fallen rubble.
[Ramus] Just another hundred yards that way... And don't call me "Tubs", young lady.
* Miriamele quietly scouts on ahead..
[Cassandra] Sure thing, big guy.
* Ramus takes Salah by the hand. He follows Miriamele.
* Cassandra follows as well.
* Miriamele glances around, on edge, as she makes her way down the last bit of the tunnel.
* Ramus thinks to himself. .oO( In all the stories Alex told me of the Vile Tribe, they never committed crimes like these. There must be something more at hand. I just hope these kids don't get caught in the middle of it. )
* Salah sniffs and wipes her wet cheeks.
* Ramus reaches into his pocket and pulls out a fresh white silk hankie.
[Ramus] Use this...
* Salah nods quietly.
[Salah] Thank you.
* Ramus smiles and squeezes the girl's hand.
* Salah takes the hankie and wipes her eyes.
[Storyteller] Just about then, the group reaches a dead end in the tunnel.
[Miriamele] Aw hell..
* Miriamele flicks a mildly annoyed glance at Ramus.
[Miriamele] I thought you knew where you were going?
[Storyteller] The tunnel is basically as feature less as the rest of the sewer, the only difference being that rather than covered in water, the floor has a thin layer of snow.
[Ramus] I was sure this was the way...
* Miriamele looks up.
* Ramus stops to look around...
* Salah looks at the dead end, walking up to it.
* Miriamele checks for footprints other then the party's own.
[Storyteller] The ceiling above is greenish grey, just like the walls of the tunnel. On closer examination, Salah notices that the wall is void of the greenish mildew.
* Salah closely inspects the end wall, noting the mildew.
[Salah] Here.
[Miriamele] What is it, Salah?
[Ramus] What?
* Salah rubs her hand across the vacant mildew area.
[Storyteller] When she touches it, there's a grinding sound and it seems to slide away from her.
* Cassandra looks at the wall.
[Cassandra] .oO ( That's some whacked shit.... )
[Miriamele] Pretty fancy stuff for a sewer, at least.
[Ramus] No... Wait... We are in the right place...
* Salah peaks across the opening.
[Storyteller] Up near the top of the now moved wall, the ceiling is a matted white color.
* Salah reaches her hand inward up to the white sheet.
[Storyteller] The ceiling is much too high for Salah to reach. It appears as though the bottom of the wall didn't move, just the top...
[Salah] There must be another switch around here.
* Miriamele jumps up and grapples the sheet.
[Storyteller] Her hand hits it, but she lands on the ground with nothing but a handful of snow for her troubles.
[Ramus] Maybe we need to push on it more.
* Miriamele glares indignantly at the troublesome wall.
[Miriamele] I was thinking that same thing.
* Ramus looks to Salah.
[Ramus] Stand back.
* Cassandra gets by the wall to push it.
[Cassandra] On the count of three.
* Miriamele braces herself against the stone.
* Ramus gets ready to push his considerable weight against the wall...
[Cassandra] One. Two. Three!
* Cassandra pushes.
* Salah takes a few steps back from the wall.
* Ramus pushes...
* Miriamele shoves the wall.
[Storyteller] As they put their combined weight on it, the top of the wall begins to move, like it's hinged on the bottom.

Katarina Zone

[Storyteller] As you walk with Finn around the north side of Meribia, you suddenly feel the snow beneath you shift.
* PseudoFinn keeps walking, apparently not having noticed a thing.
* Cobia swings his arms trying to remain balanced.
[Storyteller] You regain your balance, only to have the ground drop out from underneath you.

Meribia Sewers

[Storyteller] As the wall tilts away, they hear a rumble above them... Then about ten cubic feet of snow come pouring down on them, knocking them to the tunnel floor in a pile.
* Cobia hits with a thud.
[Storyteller] On top of them lands a rather large gentleman dressed like a fisherman.
* Miriamele clambers out of the snow, dusting it off.
[Miriamele] Well..
[Storyteller] A voice calls out from above.
* Cassandra falls to the ground with snow covering her entire body.
[PseudoFinn] You okay down there, Cobia?
* Salah being well backed away, calls out.
[Salah] Ramus! Miriamele! Cassandra! Are you guys all right?
* Cobia is quick to get up and arm himself.
[Miriamele] I'm fine... a little cold maybe.. Put that thing away, we're not gonna kill you. ^_^;
* Salah climbs up the snow pile and looks around for Ramus.
* Ramus pulls himself out of the snow, quickly moving to transpose himself between Cobia and Salah.
* Cassandra sits up and brushes the snow off herself.
[Miriamele] Who are you?
[Salah] Yes, who are you?
[Cobia] I am Cobia. And you are?
[Ramus] Ramus the First.
[Miriamele] Call me Miri.
[Cassandra] Beautiful. But you can call me Ma'am.
[Salah] S-Salah, did you come from those ships?
[Storyteller] A ruggedly handsome man sticks his head into view.
[PseudoFinn] You okay down there, Cobia?... Who the hell are they?
* Cassandra looks up at the man and smiles.
[Cassandra] Heya cutie.
[Cobia] I am fine, they seem to be fleeing the city.
* Salah looks up at the man.
[Salah] Who are you?
* Cassandra looks at Cobia.
[Cassandra] What? You people are going into Meribia?
[PseudoFinn] I'm Finn...
[Salah] Nice to meet you both. Where did you guys come from?
[Cobia] We were going to Meribia... What happened to the city?
[Salah] It was attacked. Much of the city was destroyed as you can see.
[Cassandra] Along with my job. Well, total sarcasm aside, my name is Cassandra.
[Salah] Including my family....
* Salah lowers her head.
* Ramus puts his arm around Salah's shoulder.
[Cassandra] I hope that guy that went to go talk to that bag of bones got out of the inn all right... How 'bout some help here?
* PseudoFinn looks down...
[PseudoFinn] Sure... Gimme just a second...
* PseudoFinn runs off. He cuts a long, strong branch off a nearby tree and comes back.
[Storyteller] With the help of Finn up top and Ramus pushing from down below, everybody manages to get up and out.
* Salah quickly pulls out of her mourning state, knowing that this isn't the time to cry.
[Storyteller] Cobia and Finn together manage to help Ramus out of the sewer gate.
[Cassandra] Well, I advise that you two stay away from Meribia.
[PseudoFinn] Do we look stupid.
[Cassandra] Well... Yes.
[Ramus] Let's just get moving. There's a Shrine not to far to the east.
* Miriamele looks around at her surroundings..
[Cassandra] Sure thing, pleasantly plump.
* Salah looks back at the city.
[Salah] Daddy, please don't die. You're the only one I have left.
[Cobia] Good, I need some healing after falling into that hole.
[Ramus] (Softly) Salah, if he got out of the city, he'll have headed to the Shrine too. Let's go.
* Salah glances at the bearded man.
[Cobia] Do you need me to heal you? No thanks, save your sorcery for another time.
[Salah] Umm, okay.
* Salah looks eastward and starts walking.
* Cobia follows the newly formed party.
* Cassandra walks alongside Cobia as she follows Salah.
* Miriamele catches up to the younger girl, and walks alongside her.
[Miriamele] How are you feeling?
[Storyteller] Even from this distance, you can hear a loud crackling sound in the direction of the burning city of Meribia.
[Cassandra] So...uhh....Cobia was it? Where you from?
[Salah] I feel a bit better.
[Storyteller] A sudden wind pulls in that direction... Then you hear (and see) a massive explosion.
[Cassandra] HOLY SHIT!!!!
[Storyteller] A monstrous blue and grey cloud billows up from the city.
* Salah turns her head away from the bright explosion.

Bay of Meribia

[Storyteller] Two figures, a man and a woman, stand on the deck of one of the ships. They look at the burning city, not knowing the goal of their mission is only a few miles to the north.
[Man] They weren't there... your men have failed me.
[Woman] My men failed you?! You're the one who decided to stage this ridiculous attack. Did you really think this stupid maneuver would bring out your friend.
[Man] You try my patience, woman... I know exactly what I'm doing. I have precognition you couldn't possibly believe.
[Woman] They why don't you just magically bring the little bitch to you.
[Man] Because that's not how the game is played.
* Woman throws her hands up in the air.
[Woman] This is all a game to you?! Is anything not a game to you?!
* Woman turns on one reinforced steel heel and makes her way down the stairs, below decks. The man takes one last look over the crushed and burnt city, then turns to go down the stairs.
[Man] There are only so many places you can hide your dearest child, my friend... only so many...

Shrine of Althena

[Storyteller] All things considered, the party is in much better shape than they were before. There's safety in numbers after all. As a group, they push their way through the snowy wilderness. Despite the events to date, having people around somehow makes it easier to go on. At least you're not totally confused alone... Your haphazard path due-east eventually leads you to one of the more used paths.You walk down the path. It rolls gently back and forth, then it straightens out and goes right over the top of a hill.
* Cassandra looks at where Meribia once was...
* Cobia warms his hands and trudges forward.
* Miriamele darts ahead of the group, on the lookout for danger..
* Cassandra looks around, rubbing her arms.
* Salah walks down the path with the rest of the group, quietly humming to herself.
[Storyteller] At the top of the hill, you stop. Below you see the Shrine. Standing in front of the shrine are three of the largest men you have ever seen. Scurrying around them are a number of smaller, impish looking creatures.
[Salah] Who are those people?
[Storyteller] One of the giants takes a few steps back, then charges toward the door of the Shrine.
* Cobia looks at the road block.. Damn.
[Miriamele] No clue. But I think we'd better be careful..
[Storyteller] He hits it dead on with his shoulder, and it explodes inward.
[Salah] They're attacking the Shrine, shouldn't we help them?
* Audrey screams!
[Ramus] Yes.
* Cobia charges the attackers with his blade in hand.
* Cassandra walks slowly to the Shrine.
[Storyteller] The two groups meet on either side of the gathered enemies.
* Lynna tries to see the attackers through the hail of wood splinters.

~~~ Combat! Round 1! ~~~
~~~ Targets: Vile Giants A, B, C... Vile Peons A, B, C, D, E, F, G... ~~~

* Miriamele draws her knives..
[Miriamele] One way is better than none at all.
* Audrey whips out a small crossbow!
[Audrey] There are so many... I should have never trusted Imogene....
* Criz brushes all the splinters off, and takes out his bo-staff ready to do battle as his coat flutters with the wind.
[Criz] Damn...only one way out of this...
* Criz looks at Lynna with a smile.
[Criz] Are you ready for another fun filled battle?
[Lynna] I'm just dying in anticipation...Really.
* Lynna looks sarcastically to Criz, brandishing her claws.
[Audrey] ...Hello? Who are you back there?
[Salah] Friends, miss!
[Cassandra] Who are you to ask who we are?
[Audrey] I..I just wondered... Whoever you are, we're in your debt!
[Salah] There's no need for it!
[Criz] Ok guys, get ready for some CRIZ saving action!
* Criz charges at Giant B and jumps into the air as he hits him in the face with his Bo-staff and lands back on his feet.
[Storyteller] Criz hits Vile Giant B for 5 damage. Critical Hit Vile Giant B takes 33 damage! Criz hits Vile Giant B for 5 damage.
* Miriamele charges towards a Peon A, embedding her daggers deep into it's belly! Using the two daggers as hand holds, she then, flips up, placing her feet on it's shoulders and kicks off, flying back towards her teammates, but unleashing a barrage of smaller knives mid-air!
[Storyteller] Miriamele hits V.Peon A for 11 damage. V.Peon A dies! Miriamele hits V.Peon B for 12 damage. V.Peon B dies!
* Lynna stares down the three large creatures, and catches a glimpse of some people fighting on the other side.
* Miriamele seeing it drop so easily, thows the spikes at other targets!
[Storyteller] Miriamele hits V.Peon C for 14 damage. V.Peon C dies! Miriamele hits V.Peon D for 12 damage. V.Peon D dies!
* Miriamele lands back where the rest of the group is, and with the flick of her wrist, brings more knives into her nimble fingers..
* Cassandra pulls out her whip, unfurls it, and snaps it at Giant A.
[Storyteller] Cassandra hits V.Giant A for 5 damage.
* Audrey claps her hands together and chants lowly to herself. She begins to glow with a white aura and her eyes turn as pure as white. When she is done chanting, she feels her wisdom increase!
[Storyteller] Audrey's Wisdom increases by 21!
[Criz] Where are all these monsters coming from anyway? It's like they like attacking JUST us!
[Audrey] ...It wouldn't be surprising... Long story, sir.
[Lynna] It doesn't surprise me either, although I don't think we're the only ones fighting...
* Criz buttons his coat as he looks at Audrey and then back the beast as his beady red eyes shimmer.
* Salah cocks her bow toward Peon G pulling her string back she releases the arrow, dashing toward the Peon with a swishing sound.
[Storyteller] Salah hits V.Peon for 5 damage.
[Criz] After this battle, I'll be all ears for you... especially for someone as godlike looking as you ma'am.
* Audrey blinks and blushes. ^^;
* Daria fumbles around, looking for some sort of weapon.
* Cobia charges at a nearby Giant and makes a great arc as he swings his machete into the Giants right knee cap.
* Salah bites her lower lip seeing how she wasn't effective as Miriamele was.
[Storyteller] V.Giant C takes 31 damage from Cobia's weapon skill.
* Lynna concentrates as she gathers up the shadows around her...Calling out "Black Beam!", she releases a beam of dark energy from her palms hurtling towards Giant C.
[Storyteller] V.Giant C takes 17 damage from Lynna's spell.
* Criz claps at Lynna's spell.
[Audrey] Very nice, miss...Lynna, was it?
* Ramus pulls Dyne's sword from it's sheath... He rushes at one of the Peons and slices it cleanly in two. Peon E dies!
* Lynna nods to Audrey, and rolls her eyes at Criz for a moment.
[Lynna] Criz, stop clapping like an idiot and do something useful.
* Finn draws his sword and dagger and steps up to one of the Peons. Just like Ramus, he proceeds to make mincemeat out of it.
[Storyteller] Peon F dies!
[Criz] I AM, for goodness sakes. Being the MAN of the group here, I shall protect both of you at all cost. For these fair lady as well.
* Criz looks at Audrey and blinks.
* Audrey can't help but snicker slightly.
[Audrey] Um...I'll be all right. Just keep focused!
* Giant A turns and grabs a convenient Peon... He throws it at Cassandra. Giant A hits Cassandra for 7 damage.
[Cassandra] Gah! You son of a whore!
[Salah] Great work Ramus, and Sir Finn
[Criz] I am, just get ready to use that mumbo jumbo stuff on me whenever I need it. WE can't have a dying Criz here, now can we?
* Lynna turns quickly to Audrey.
[Lynna] I hope you've got the skills to keep Mr. Hero here healthy.
[Audrey] I do. Don't worry.
* Giant B raises his hands up over his head. He clenches them together and brings them down on Criz in the patented Star Trek Captain Maneuver.
[Storyteller] Giant B hits Criz for 4 damage.
[Audrey] :/ Oh dear.
* Giant C reaches down to grab a hold of Audrey... He lifts her over his head then dashes her on the ground below.
[Storyteller] V.Giant hits Audrey for 9 damage.
* Audrey lets out a cry of pain as she skids over the floor.
* Lynna hisses as Audrey is tossed across the floor.
[Lynna] If there's one thing I hate, its a bully...
* Vile Peon G giggles as he hops over toward Salah. He leaps at her, trying to bury his tiny sword in her gut.
* Salah hears the cries from the people in the Shrine opposite of her.
[Storyteller] V.Peon hits Salah for 2 damage.
[Salah] Ow!

~~~ Combat! Round 2! ~~~
~~~ REINFORCEMENTS HAVE ARRIVED! ~~~ Peons H, I, J, K, L, M, & N pop out of the snow all around you. ~~~

* Criz notices all the Peons popping out of the snow
[Criz] They're like that pop corn stuff that the carnivals have, popping out of the snow and so many of them as well.
* Salah looks at the Peons leaping out from the snow.
[Salah] Guess they came prepared.
[Miriamele] I'll try and deal with as many of them as I can!
* Audrey sighs.
[Audrey] This'll be tougher than I imagined...
* Criz grabs onto the bo-staff with both hands as he turns the staff and it comes apart into two smaller bo-staffs. Criz then hurls both of them towards Giant A as they hit the Giant in it's chest, the staffs bounce off and go air borne as Criz flips into the air catches them and puts them back together in time to hit the Giant again in the face with his feet.
[Storyteller] Giant A takes 4 damage! 5 damage! 7 damage!
[Criz] Damn it, hitting these Giants, feel like I'm hitting an iron wall.
* Miriamele leaps off to the side, and tears through the batch of Peons, dagger slashes glinting red in the sunlight as their blood flies; snow spattered with blood as the Peons are pockmarked with numerous throwing knives!
[Storyteller] Miriamele hits V.Peon N for 10 damage. Miriamele hits V.Peon N for 10 damage. Peon N dies! Miriamele hits V.Peon M for 11 damage. Peon M dies! Miriamele hits V.Peon for L 12 damage. Peon L dies!
* Cassandra coils her whip around her hands, and grins wickedly. She unfurls the whip and lashes it out at Giant A, snapping with a sickening crack!
[Storyteller] V.Giant A takes 40 damage from Cassandra's weapon skill!
[Salah] Good shots Miriamele! And you too Cassandra!
* Audrey pulls out her crossbow and eyes Peon H carefully. Squinting one of her eyes shut, she pulls back on the bow and a loud "twang!" is heard as the arrow is launched...
[Storyteller] Critical Hit! V.Peon H takes 22 damage and dies!
[Audrey] ^_^ All right!
[Salah] Hey! Nice shot miss!
[Audrey] Thank you!
* Finn raises an eyebrow at Cassandra...
[Finn] Do you make lots of money with that thing?
* Cassandra blinks.
[Cassandra] What do you mean by that?
* Finn shakes his head and smiles wryly...
[Finn] Never mind.
[Cassandra] If you're implying what I think you're implying, then no.
[Finn] So you just pretty much like being a fashion statement?
* Salah locks her bow into position and loads an arrow, she fires it towards Peon G her eyes closed as it the arrow zooms!
[Storyteller] Salah hits V.Peon G for 7 damage. Vile Peon G dies!
[Cassandra] Yeah.
[Daria] Oh shit!
[Audrey] Nice shot, Miss! Daria?
[Daria] You okay, Audrey?!
* Daria raises her hands above her head...
[Audrey] A little sore...but I'll live...
* Salah opens her eyes.
[Salah] Th-thanks!
* Lynna gathers the shadows around her for another attack, looking over the newcomers...
[Daria] By the grace of love, let Althena's strength be yours... Recovery Litany!
[Storyteller] Audrey regains 9 HP.
[Audrey] Thank you!
* Cobia sprints to a Giant and unleashes a mega-powerful slash to the Giants other knee cap. It shatters with a crunch as the blade it meets bone.
[Storyteller] V.Giant C takes 30 damage from Cobia's weapon skill. The knee shatters, and he falls to the ground with a mighty thump. Vile Giant C is dead!
* Lynna notices the Giant fall over to Cobia's axe, and fires off another Black Beam at Giant A.
[Storyteller] V.Giant A takes 13 damage from Lynna's spell. He briefly screams before the beam wraps around his body and snuffs him out of existence.
[Storyteller] Vile Giant A dies!
* Salah shivers at the black magic that engulfed the giant
* Ramus swings Dyne's Sword in an arc above him. He brings it down on one of the peons. The heavy blade smashes it to a bloody pulp.
[Storyteller] Peon J is dead.
* Lynna smiles slightly at the fatality of her attack, and advances on the last one standing.
* Finn leaps at Peon I, stabbing his dagger into its legs...
[Storyteller] Finn missed!
* Finn snarls and swipes his sword at its neck.
[Storyteller] Finn hits V.Peon for 18 damage and kills it!
[Lynna] I think the odds just got better...
[Audrey] Good...
* Finn slashes at the giant with his dagger again, and stabs toward its stomach with his sword.
[Criz] I feel it's time, for this battle to come to an end. What do you two say?
[Audrey] I agree!
* Lynna bows away from the giant slightly.
[Lynna] Go for it, lover boy.
[Storyteller] Finn hits V.Giant for 0 damage. Finn hits V.Giant for 0 damage.
[Finn] Well, um, that sucked...
[Storyteller]
* Giant B catches hold of one of Finn's arms and yanks him off the ground...
[Audrey] Sir! O_o
[Storyteller]
[Giant] This'll suck more!
[Salah] Finn!
[Storyteller]
* Giant B grabs him by one arm and one leg and puuuuuuuuuuuuuuulls!
[Finn] Owww! Sadistic bastard!
[Storyteller] Critical Hit! Finn takes 22 damage.
[Salah] FINN!! Are you okay!
* Audrey winces.
* Lynna grimaces as the Giant tortures Finn.
[Finn] Feeling slightly under the weather, to tell you the truth...
* Finn smiles wryly at Salah.

~~~ Combat! Round 3! ~~~

* Cassandra looks at Finn.
[Cassandra] You look like shit.
* Criz dashes towards Giant B as he slides under the Giant's open legs. He stands up and hits the Giants Legs, and then jumps into the air to hit it's face but manages to hit only it's rear hide with the bo-staff, as the monster's eyes widen with that hit.
* Salah rushes over to Finn.
* Vile Giant B grimaces, groans, and falls to the ground, landing half on top of Finn.

~~~ Victory! ~~~

* Criz lands on his feet.
* Audrey smiles.
[Finn] God, this day just gets better and better. Will someone get this thing off of me?
* Criz walks up to Audrey.
* Cassandra tries to move the half of the giant off of Finn.
[Audrey] Are you all right, sir? Everyone?
[Criz] Are you ok Audrey?
[Storyteller] Behind you, you here more of that evil sounding Peon chuckling. Standing behind the hopping horde of peons you see... Imogene... Although it's definitely the same person, her attire is totally different. Rather than the white robes, she's dressed in a slinky blue getup.
[Audrey] Imogene?!
* Lynna gives Criz a small ovation, and freezes seeing Imogene.
[Audrey] I knew it!... What is going on?
* Criz eyes widen in shock.
* Audrey steps a few paces closer, to get a better look.
[Finn] Ow, ow ow ow ow ow owwwwww...
[Criz] But I thought...I thought...she was on OUR side!
[Lynna] That's her!
* Miriamele retrieves her knives..
* Salah looks up at Imogene.
[Salah] Why...?
[Imogene] You can't do anything right, can you?
[Finn] My ribs are not going to take this much longer!
[Imogene] You know... You're really a disappointment, Audrey...
* Lynna glares at Imogene.
[Lynna] I'd say you can't do anything right...you obviously wanted to kill us and we're still standing.
[Criz] Wait Lynna, Audrey might be with Imogene still. This ALL could be one good trap.
[Imogene] Destroying the temple and all...
[Audrey] Well, I'm not evil, am I?
* Cassandra continues trying to get the giant off of Finn.
[Audrey] And Daria is a witness!
[Imogene] Well... I'd suggest you go and hide with your friends inside.
* Cobia cleans his blade.
[Audrey] People will know of your treachery!
[Cassandra] A little help here!
[Imogene] Oh... I hope so.
* Audrey is fuming mad.
* Ramus moves to help Cassandra move the Giant.
[Audrey] Who are you? Really?
[Imogene] Nobody of consequence...
* Imogene turns and walks back down the far side of the hill.
[Audrey] Wait!
* Criz whispers into Lynna ear.
[Criz] The question is, which side is Audrey on.
[Storyteller] The horde of peons start rushing down the hill.
[Audrey] You'll never get away with this!
* Lynna starts to speak, but brushes off Criz's whispers as she sees the horde advancing..
[Vile Peons] Glee hee! Wooo hoo! We're gonna kill! Blood makes the grass grow! Kill Kill Kill!
[Ramus] Hurry! Everybody inside!
* Audrey shakes her head angrily and follows Ramus' instructions.
* Finn gets up unsteadily and hobbles after the group.
* Ramus grabs Salah and runs inside.
[Ramus] Come on! Move it!
* Audrey rushes inside.
* Criz staring at Audrey entering the shrine, follows behind.
* Cassandra supports Finn as she goes into the temple.
* Lynna reluctantly goes inside, giving a hand to Finn.
* Ramus sets her down to one side then moves to one of the half-broken doors.
* Miriamele heads into the building..
[Ramus] They're not totally destroyed. We should be able to bar them shut!
[Audrey] Hurry...
[Criz] With what though? The doors are broken as it is.
[Ramus] That bar over there!
* Salah clasps her hands together, praying.
[Salah] Althena... please....
[Ramus] Shuttup and gimme a hand pushing them shut!
* Audrey looks at Salah.
[Audrey] She'll help us. Don't worry.
* Lynna looks over to where Ramus is and lends a hand.
[Lynna] Not like we have much choice...
* Finn winces and starts to help Ramus.
* Cassandra walks over to Ramus and begins to help him.
* Criz walks over to the bar and helps Ramus.
[Audrey] Do you need a hand?
[Storyteller] Together, the group manages to get the doors pushed closed.
[Finn] Sometimes we have to do things ourselves, without Althena's help...
[Audrey] Sometimes Althena gives us the push we need to get things done, Finn.
[Criz] Audrey, your hurt as it is, why don't you sit down, we might need your magic later.
[Storyteller] With the bar in place, they'll hold reasonably well... For now...